Mid-temperature e-cigarette

ABSTRACT

A mid-temperature electronic cigarette that heats ingredients to a temperature range between 125 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature range is critical for a consistent cigarette-like taste, aroma, and physiological satisfaction. The ingredients can include tobacco extract, ethyl nicotinate, ethanol, nicotine and ethanol-based flavors, DMEA, but not propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). Due to the consistent temperature range, the mid-temperature electronic cigarette can consistently deliver 8-10 μg nicotine per puff, for at least 10 puffs, over 2-8 hours.

BACKGROUND

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Electronic cigarettes (also known as “e-cigarette”) are noncombustible tobacco products that simulate tobacco smoking. Using an e-cigarette (also known as “vaping”) involves inhaling an aerosol (commonly known as “vapor”), instead of cigarette smoke. E-cigarettes are superior to cigarettes because cigarette smoke produced by burning tobacco contains a number of carcinogens, while e-cigarettes do not ignite the contents. However, conventional e-cigarettes use ingredients including propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), and heat them to a temperature range to about 600-1350 degrees Fahrenheit. Inhaling aerosol containing PG and VG could result in lung damage over long-term use, especially if heated to such high temperatures.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,789 discloses a non-heated cigarette substitute device that does not use PG and VG. However, the non-heated cigarette substitute device fails to produce a consistent taste and aroma, since any ambient temperature variation would change the vapor pressure of the ingredients. For example, the non-heated device in a low temperature environment would deliver lower levels of ingredients than in a high temperature environment, resulting in poor taste, aroma, and physiological satisfaction.

Thus, there is still a need for a cigarette substitute device that produces a consistent cigarette-like taste, aroma, and physiological satisfaction.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which cigarette substitute devices deliver a consistent cigarette-like taste, aroma, and physiological satisfaction, without relying on propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), and especially without using those substances at high temperatures.

The contemplated cigarette substitute device uses ingredients including tobacco extract, ethyl nicotinate, ethanol, nicotine, and ethanol-based flavors, but not propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin. In preferred embodiments, the ingredients also include at least one of N,N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA, also known as DMAE), N-methylethanolamine (MEA), ethanolamine, and any salts of ethanolamine. Surprisingly, it turns out to be critical that the above ingredients need to be heated to a temperature range between 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit for the cigarette substitute device to function properly. When temperature is below 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the taste is minimal, and the physiological satisfaction is weak. On the other hand, when the temperature is higher than 145 degrees, the physiological satisfaction is acceptable, but the taste is quite unpleasant. As used herein, “taste” refers to the sensation experienced by a user produced by sensory organs including taste buds, nose, or a combination of both. As used herein, “physiological satisfaction” refers to the feeling of pleasure and reward associated with nicotine consumption experienced by a user. Hence, the critical range that ensures both acceptable taste and physiological satisfaction is between 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit. The optimum temperature within that critical temperature range is around 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the ingredients in the contemplated cigarette substitute device are heated to a predetermined temperature range between 125 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit. In preferred embodiments, the ingredients in the contemplated cigarette substitute device are heated to a predetermined temperature range between 130 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In especially preferred embodiments, the ingredients in the contemplated cigarette substitute device are heated to a predetermined temperature range between 134 and 136 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the contemplated cigarette substitute device has a heater, a sensor, a battery, and a microprocessor. The sensor can be configured to detect the temperature of the ingredients. The microprocessor can be programed to turn on the heater when temperature is below 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and to turn off the heater when temperature is above 145 degrees Fahrenheit. In preferred embodiments, the battery has an electric voltage of 3.2-4.8 volts (more preferably at 3.2 volts). Also in preferred embodiments, The electrical resistance of the heater is between 7.5 to 9.0 ohms (more preferably at 8.5 ohms).

Advantageously, due to the consistent temperature, the contemplated cigarette substitute devices release a relatively constant amount of active ingredients per use. Contemplated cigarette substitute devices release a constant amount of nicotine per use (per puff), where the constant amount is between 8 and 10 μg nicotine. It is also contemplated that the cigarette substitute devices are capable of consistently deliver this constant amount over for at least 10 consecutive puffs, and preferably at least 15 consecutive puffs. It is further contemplated that the cigarette substitute devices are capable of consistently deliver this constant amount over a two-hour period, more preferably over four hours, and most preferably over eight hours. As used herein, “constant amount” means an amount with no more than 20% variation. As used herein, “per use” or “per puff” means a single short inhale of air through the cigarette substitute device by a user.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of an embodiment of the cigarette substitute device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the air flow inside the cigarette substitute device in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value with a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Throughout the following discussion, numerous references will be made regarding servers, services, interfaces, portals, platforms, or other systems formed from computing devices. It should be appreciated that the use of such terms is deemed to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer readable tangible, non-transitory medium. For example, a server can include one or more computers operating as a web server, database server, or other type of computer server in a manner to fulfill described roles, responsibilities, or functions.

The following discussion provides example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

In FIG. 1, the cigarette substitute device 100 has a container 160 for containing active ingredients, a heater 150, air holes 105, a sensor and microprocessor combined as a single unit 140, a LED light 110, a battery 120, and gauze 130. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the sensor and the microprocessor can be separate. The sensor is configured to sense the temperature inside the container 160 and provides an input to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programed to turn on the heater 150 when the temperature inside the container, as sensed by the sensor 140, is below 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and to turn off the heater 150 when the temperature inside the container is above 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery 120 can supply electrical power to the heater 150 and to the LED light source 110. The heater 150 can be a heating wire that generates heat when it is powered by electricity. The ingredients stored inside the container 160 can include tobacco extract, ethyl nicotinate, ethanol, nicotine and ethanol-based flavors, DMEA, but not propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG).

FIG. 2 shows the direction of airflow inside the cigarette substitute device 100 in FIG. 1, represented by an arrow 170.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

1. A cigarette substitute device comprising: a supply reservoir that contains a composition that includes both nicotine and ethanol, but not propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG); and a heater configured to heat the composition to a predetermined temperature range between 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
 2. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature range is 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
 3. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature range is 134-136 degrees Fahrenheit.
 4. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, wherein the heater stops heating when the composition is above 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and starts heating when the composition is below 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 5-6. (canceled)
 7. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprising ethyl nicotinate.
 8. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprising an ethanol-based flavor.
 9. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, wherein the heater is positioned within the supply reservoir.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing a temperature inside the supply reservoir.
 12. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, further comprising an air hole.
 13. The cigarette substitute device of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor configured to control heating of the composition.
 14. The cigarette substitute device of claim 13, wherein the microprocessor is programed to turn on the heater when temperature inside the reservoir is below 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and to turn off the heater when temperature inside the reservoir is above 145 degrees Fahrenheit. 15-18. (canceled)
 19. A cigarette substitute device having a single supply reservoir, and configured to deliver differing amounts of nicotine as a function of temperature of a composition in the supply reservoir, and an amount breathed in by a user, comprising: the composition comprising tobacco extract, ethyl nicotinate, and ethanol, but not propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG); and a heater configured to heat the supply reservoir to a predetermined temperature range between 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
 20. (canceled) 